Local pathway to Paralympic dream
TALENTED disabled athletes in Townsville will now be able to pursue their Paralympic dreams right here at home, with a new service rolling out in the city.
Australian Wheelchair Rugby team captain and three-time Paralympic gold medallist Chris Bond said he hopes a new exercise physiology (EP) service coming to Townsville would be a gamechanger for disabled athletes.
Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association — the state’s leading provider of inclusive sports, recreation and rehabilitation therapy — recently brought in EP Alicia Allen to use her expertise and experience at the Townsville Sports Precinct to help create a successful runway for Paralympians.
She’s already been helping the likes of the Townsville Cyclones wheelchair basketball team, including 19-yearold Byron Holman.
The Townsville teen was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type three and has difficulty walking due to muscle weakness. Sadly, his symptoms worsened over time and eventually required a wheelchair for mobility.
He discovered a passion for wheelchair basketball five years ago and hopes to one day represent Australia in the Paralympic Games.
“I definitely want to go to the Paralympics and an international competition,” he said. “I know others on my team who also want to push for that.
“Alicia helps us with our goals and any physio we may want to put into our drills.”
Paralympian Chris Bond said many regional athletes can “get lost” when they’re forced to go into the big cities to train and compete at a higher level due to the lack of services at home.
He said exercise physiology services like Sporting Wheelies Townsville were vital in continuing to engage and empower people with a disability to live a more healthy, active and fulfilled life.
“There are a lot of allied health services out there, but Sporting Wheelies specialise in people with disabilities because there are specific exercises, routines and abilities that need to be catered for,” he said.
“You can get a tailored program for the level of the person you’re dealing with, whether you’re someone who’s beginning your sporting journey, on a national team or even a Paralympic athlete. We specialise in helping them with their fitness goals.”
For more information visit: https://www.sporting-wheelies.org.au/exercise-therapy/townsville/